AN: Yo! I am back *bow* I hope you like this chapter, it has a LOT of meaning, and is anything but pointless… it has hints for the sequel as well wahaha!
Um… trying to think of what I was going to put here… oh yeah, I don't need any more characters! Too many as it is :s It's important that Bryan and Tala stay single for the sequel.. waha… um… oh right..
I'm making a sound track for this fic, so submit any songs you think would go good with this fic (for any of the relationships or scenes or anything like that) ^^ thank you! R+R
The month and a half that followed the Halloween fiasco were both tense and amusing –tense for those directly involved and amusing for those with no vested interests, or that just found other's problems funny, ie. Johnny and Ian. The two weeks that followed Halloween were two of the longest weeks Liika had ever spent. Robert of course, had been furious. Not furious enough to threaten their relationship but furious enough to put a dent in Kai's shiny new Mercedes. Which I'm sure you know did not go over well with Kai himself. As the third week hit and both teams became absorbed in their matches, Robert's anger was quelled, but his suspicions only grew more volatile. Kai didn't move with out Robert knowing it.
While things settled down mostly for Liika, the same could not be said for Kai. The dent in his car was just the icing on the cake that was his messed up life and/or feelings.
He was confused. Confused as to why he tried to kiss his enemy and confused as to why it hurt when she rejected him. And there was no mistake about it.
He was hurt.
He spent the better part of three weeks avoiding her at all costs. In fact it wasn't until Tala informed him that he was letting her win every competition just because he wanted to avoid the issue of them that Kai snapped out of his daze-like state and things became 'normal' at Bakuten High once more.
It was now the twentieth of December, the day before school let out for Christmas holidays and Liika was wandering the Bakuten mall with Mariah, Amy, Riley, Jade and Emily in tow trying to do a last minute Christmas shop. You see Liika had finished her Christmas shopping two weeks before when she and Tyson got what Grandpa called their "Christmas bonus", which was just extra money to buy Christmas presents. However, on the Monday of the last week of school before holidays Ms. Giesinger thought it would be lovely to spring a Secret Santa on them and of course as extra incentive she made it worth marks.
Har.
What was worse was that she set no price limit on the presents so people like Kai, Tala and Robert or even Enrique who were not even close to poor could spend significantly more than Liika could, making her gift look like crap.
Double har.
The one stipulation was that every present had to have a signed card so that at the end the getter could know who the giver was. No one was to know, however, who you go, that was against the rules. Like anyone listened. Sometimes Liika wondered about her Family Management teacher's sanity.
Of course if none of these things weren't bad enough she had to go and draw him. That's right. God saw fit to smite her that hellish Monday. Not only did she have to sit beside him in AP History in the morning –where he acted like a complete jackass-, but then she had to pick him for her Secret Santa.
Triple har.
So now she wandered the mall, wondering what exactly she should get for her rich enemy that had everything. Life was cruel.
"So anyway, what the hell do I get Bryan?? Help me out here Rile…" Mariah pleaded with her pale haired friend.
Riley merely giggled, shaking her head. "Tsk, the point of a Secret Santa is to buy the gift with out anyone else knowing. SO that leaves you on your own!" She replied, smiling at the pink haired girl.
Mariah moaned and pouted. "Well you're no help! Besides, Ms. G knew we were going to tell each other anyway."
"She has a point." Amy supplied.
"How would you know?" Jade laughed good naturedly. "You don't even have to do the project!"
Amy stuck her tongue out at the red head. "It's common knowledge! Teacher's who give out Secret Santas pretty much know that their students are going to tell each other!" She shot back.
"It makes you wonder why they bother with the 'secret' part." Emily muttered shaking her head.
"Gu-ys! Back to the problem at hand! Bryan Wakeman!" Mariah interrupted. She skipped ahead, then whirled around, settling her hands on her hips and glaring at her friends. "No one moves any further until you help me!"
Liika sighed, speaking for the first time. "Mari, Bryan isn't that complicated. He's easy to buy for."
Mariah huffed and stomped over to the blue haired girl. "That's easy for you to say!" she exclaimed, once again settling her hands on her hips. "You could give him a scrap of red and green paper and he'd die a happy man! Hell, a framed picture of you and he'd set up a shrine dedicated to you!"
"Ha, ha, you're a riot Mari." Liika muttered flatly, rolling her eyes.
"Who's kidding??"
Liika stared at Mariah. "…you?"
Riley laughed, slinging an arm around the short girl. "Afraid not Ika. Mar's right. You could give my brother a toothpick and he'd frame it and put it on his wall. No joke!" She giggled. "Haven't you ever wondered why no one has seen his room wince sixth grade? Not even his friends! Though I think he let Amy's brother in last week."
"……"
The girls laughed at Liika's face. It was priceless, completely shocked, sort of like ¬o¬. Sometimes their little friend was so clueless.
Part of Liika was not surprised. After all, he had been following her for a few years…
"Do you remember in fourth grade when you were the only girl that gave him a valentine?" Riley asked, breaking Liika's thought pattern.
"Yeah, Grandpa made me give them to everyone. No one was going to get one!"
Jade chuckled. "That would explain why they were boy's valentines…"
"Anyway," Riley grinning. "Well there's a certain Spiderman valentine still sitting on his bed side table, laminated so it wont get wrecked."
Liika was silent once more, just staring at the pale haired female Wakeman twin in surprise, digesting the newly revealed information. Then, out of the blue, she spun on her heel and began walking again away from her surprised friends. "Mari," she called over her shoulder, pausing slightly. "I saw some cool switch blades in House of Knives for like fifteen bucks, get him one of those."
The remaining girls blinked, stunned, before Mariah jumped up and ran after her friend, throwing her arms around the shorter girl. "You're the best Ika!"
Liika smirked, looking extremely smug. "I know."
Mariah batted at Liika playfully, puzzling at the abrupt mood change, but left it alone. "To the House of Knives?"
"Yup!"
"Hey! Wait up!" Amy called, rushing after the two girls with Jade, Emily and Riley hot on her heels.
"So Ika, who'd you get for your Secret Santa?" Jade asked, looking at the sword replicas with fascination.
"Mm, key word SECRET." Replied Liika, glancing over the pocket knives and switch blades wondering if Kai might like any of them. It irked her that she was putting thought and effort into his present. Part of her just wanted to buy him some cheap ten dollar box of chocolates and a dollar store stuffy and call it a day, but for some reasons she wouldn't let herself. Damn conscience. Or that's what she told herself anyway.
"Aw come on!" Jade weedled. "We wont tell anyone!"
Liika shook her head. "Nope, not telling!"
"Bah fine! Then I'm not telling you who I got!" Jade replied, crossing her arms.
Laughing, Liika winked playfully. "That's fine, I already know you got Oliver." She said saucily, dodging a smack. "Wahaha!"
"Hmm…" Mariah mused, taping her chin thoughtfully, staring into a display case that featured the on sale switchblades. "Which do you think he would like?"
Liika gratefully turned to the subject of switchblades for Bryan, rather than her Secret Santa. "Um…" she studied the different blades on display. Her eye caught a particular one. It was small –they were on sale for half price- it's handle was plain black but on the blade a wicked looking falcon was etched. "There!" she cried, pointing to the small knife. "It's perfect!"
Mariah turned her gold eyes to the indicated blade, cocking a pink eyebrow. It was perfect. "Trust you to pick the most expensive one!" She said, motioning to the store clerk.
"Hey! You asked my opinion!" Liika retorted defensively. "Besides, you want him to like it don't you?"
"Yeah, yeah."
The pink haired girl quickly paid for it muttering about how the stupid oaf better appreciate it. "You know I'm going to put that you picked it out in his card Ika." She said, swinging the small back and forth.
"You do that! He'll like it for sure then!"
"Well now, everyone has their Secret Santa presents…except Liika, who refuses to tell us who she's buying for." Emily said sardonically, shooting a look at the petite captain.
Liika waved her hand dismissively. "None of you may care about the secret stipulation on this 'project' but I do." She replied, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Uh huh, right." Jade said. "You just want an excuse not to tell us."
Liika opened her mouth to object when something caught her eye. She stopped and stared at the store for a second. Hmm…just maybe…
"Guy's I think I know what I'm getting!"
"Kai, would you mind informing me now why I had to drive to Denver to meet you? And why you weren't in school today." Tala demanded as soon as he stepped out of his car, tugging him coat around him to ward off the heavy chill.
Kai stood on the side walk in front of Tala's blue Supra, scowling, his hands shoved into the pockets of his baggy jeans. Snow cleared from the sidewalk piled up on the edge and against the building behind Kai. "Christmas shopping." Was Kai's simple reply as he brought his eyes up to meet with his best friend's.
Tala groaned, striding over to the sidewalk and shoving his hands into his pockets. "Dude. You know I hate shopping! And I've done mine! –including that stupid Secret Santa. I thought you were done too."
Kai shrugged, beginning their trek towards the busy mall entrance. "I hate shopping even more, but I don't really feel like getting a zero on this 'assignment'." He grumbled snappishly.
A red eyebrow twitched and turquoise eyes narrowed. "Are you saying that you skipped school and made me drive two hours in the snow to Denver just to buy your Secret Santa present?!" Tala exploded incredulously.
The blue haired teen snorted. "So? Like you had anything better to do. Besides the mall in Bakuten sucks ass and I couldn't find what I wanted. Quit you're whining, if you actually help me I'll buy you dinner."
Tala sighed, holding the mall door open for Kai. "Fine, but you owe me."
"Fine. Now…what sort of crap would you buy for the witch?"
Tala looked stunned for a moment before bursting out laughing. People they passed looked at the two boys funny, whispering to each other. Kai glared at the red head, elbowing him in the guy. "Moron…" he growled.
"Sorry, sorry! You just caught me off guard," Tala exclaimed snickering. "Here I thought you got someone important…someone worth driving to Denver for."
"Shut up."
"Seriously thought," Tala sobered then, watching Kai's facial expressions. "You came all this way to find something for Iki?"
"Yeah." Kai's answers were flat and Tala could tell the blue haired boy was getting annoyed. However, he pressed the issue. He was curious. Lately his best friend had been acting a bit strange when it came to the resident tomboy. First he just avoided her, but then he started getting more annoyed than he usually did in her presence and would always change the topic if someone brought her up. "Why?"
Kai finally had enough and growled a warning at Tala. "Because, I'm above giving someone a shitty gift, even if it is the blue witch. Now are you going to help me or not?"
Tala's eyebrow arched, not entirely convinced with Kai's answer. He had a feeling it was more than that, even if Kai himself didn't know it. Oh well, time would tell. "Of course, just as long as you feed me for my trouble."
Friday second period saw Ms. Giesingers Family Management class piling into their class, gifts in hand. Every present was wrapped in the same wrapping paper or bag –plain red wrapping paper or plain green bags to promote the 'non-descript look. They were all instructed to place the presents on a long table that had been set up in the front of the class and sit down to wait for further instructions.
Liika plopped down in her seat next to Robert, dropping her chin into the palm of her hand. She didn't want to admit it, but she was at least a little excited. She loved Christmas, and she loved giving gifts. It was a sort of tradition for her to wake up and after opening all her presents from her grandfather and Tyson, head over to the Sattiay's where she was spoiled again. Not to mention the gift exchange all her friends did every year. Christmas was so much fun!
And while a part of her was bursting with excitement, another part of her was practically dancing in nervousness. She didn't know why she was worried about the devil liking her present, after all he was the devil, but she was. She was actually afraid he would hate it. Liika, Bakuten's own tomboy, was afraid of one little boy's reaction to a meaningless Secret Santa present. But was it really meaningless?
Stupid god. He just loved to smite her. And stupid Hiwatari! The whole mess was his fault. So what if he didn't like it? He could shove it up his-
A set of lips landing on her cheek broke her angry train of thoughts. Liika grinned, jumping onto the lap of the boy beside her.
Robert smiled a bit, arching an eyebrow and placing his hands on her waist to keep them both from toppling off the flimsy blue chair. "You were zoned out, what were you thinking about?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.
"Mm, nothing important." She replied. Her fingers ran over his gelled hair and traced random patterns on his temple. She still seemed distracted. "I like your hair loose."
He scowled minutely. "You know I don't. It makes me look like some kind of roughian. A street dweller."
Liika sighed, smiling and shading her head. "That would be the point my dear. It makes you look bad ass," she giggled lightly, "Girls like bad ass."
Once again Robert's eyebrow arched, the scowl leaving his face, being replaced by a small smirk. "Hn. The only girl I care about obviously likes me just the way I am, so why change perfection?"
She looked thoughtful for a moment, tapping her finger against her lips. "I suppose you're correct –assuming this girl is me. Unless of course you're seeing someone else on the side. After all, I do have a certain appreciation for bad ass…"
Something flashed in Robert's eyes, something dark. "I'm not cheating on you."
Liika blinked in surprise at Robert's serious tone. "I was kidding, geez." She said cautiously caulking her head to the side. "I know you're not cheating on me." She dropped a kiss on the bridge of his nose. "And you're right, I like my boyfriend just the way he is. Prim and proper." Liika laughed at his dry smile and pinched his cheek gently. "Someone has to keep me out of trouble ne?" She winked, leaning down to kiss him properly.
"Ugh," a disgusted snort interrupted her and instantly Liika's head shot up to glare at the person walking past them
"Please save the disgusting PDAs for when I'm not around to throw up."
Kai was pissed and he didn't know why. He had noticed lately that his anger at the purple haired teen was growing fast, and he didn't think it had to do with the little dent the guy put in his car.
The 700 dollar little dent.
No, Kai found it hard to even glance at Robert with out getting angry. The feeling got even worse when the little witch was hanging off him as she was doing now. His fist twitched to smash into some vital spot of Jagen's anatomy, but he smothered the urge. After all, what did he care if Jagen cuddled with his girlfriend? *twitch*
"Mr. Hiwatari is correct. Mr. Jagen, Miss Tomoda, please save your 'couple time' for after class. Return to your seat Liika." Ms. G scolded, glancing at them from her desk.
Liika sneered, jerking to her feet. Deciding Hiwatari deserved a little shot for getting them in trouble, she walked around the back of Robert's chair –a path that would take her directly past the still standing Kai. As she passed him she raised her hand to smack him nonchalantly, however, before her hand could come in contact with him a hand caught her wrist and yanked her towards him. Her body came in flush contact with his and she glared up at him, turquoise eyes meeting auburn.
Kai lowered his head slightly, glaring back at her. His heart was beating faster than he would have liked and his breath was catching in his throat, his anger depleting. "Tsk, tsk, don't you know it's not nice to hit people, in fact I believe it's frowned upon." He growled, licking his lips.
"Asshole." She hissed back.
A chair screeched across the linoleum and crashed to the floor. Kai found himself being shoved backwards. He dropped his hold on Liika's wrist and pushed her out of the way. He then turned his eyes to his attacker and shoved him back. "Do you have a problem Jagen?" Kai sneered, pushing him again.
"I told you not to touch her Hiwatari. Next time it will be something more than your car that gets damaged." Robert snarled, shoving back.
The shoving match was then interrupted by Tala and Lee who pushed their way between the two teens, separating them.
"Gentlemen! Take your seats this instant or you can find new ones in the principal's office!" Ms. G exclaimed, standing behind her desk.
Kai and Robert backed off, glowering at each other. They allowed themselves to be guided back to their seats by their best friends and in Robert's case, girlfriend. Ms. G shook her head, heading to the front of the class to stand in front of the presnt table.
"It's Christmas for crying out loud! I trust I will not hear about a repeat gentlemen?"
Robert and Kai muttered low "No ma'ams" and crossed their arms surely like.
"Good then!" Ms. G suddenly regained her holiday cheer, apparently completely forgetting about the near fight in the middle of her classroom. "It's time for the Secret Santa! And since it seems everyone participated you all get perfect scores! Now, each table will go up one at a time, get the package that has your name on it your name on it, return to your seat and for free to open it. Oh, and remember, none of you are obligated to tell anyone who you got your present from. We'll begin with the tables at the front and move back." At the signal the first two tables lept to their feet and made for the gift table, ignoring the fact that it was suppose to be one at a time.
Mariah, being the impatient person she was, skipped the card and went straight for the present. She tore out the tissue paper that stuck out of the top of the green bag and pulled out the first item. It was a pink beaded bracelet in a box. The background said "Sincerity and Trust" and then had a small little paragraph about what the bracelet meant. Mariah inclined her head. She didn't know who gave it to her, but it was pretty!
The next thing she pulled out was the new Kelly Clarkson CD. She loved Kelly Clarkson and had watched Ameican Idol One all the way through the end, cheering for her. She didn't have her cd yet because it had just come out on the Wednesday and she couldn't spend her money on it because of the Secret Santa. No body even knew she wanted it…how did this person?
As she pulled out the last present she found her answer. Inside a beautifully finished cherry wood frame was a picture of herself and Tala. Mariah smiled at the memory. His mother had taken it just before the Freshman formal. They had only been going out a couple of months and looked so happy. She remembered that night so well. It was the night of her first real kiss. You know the soul searing, passion filled kiss that left you dizzy and weak kneed? Tala had looked so handsome and dashing in his tux. That night was way before their troubles started…way before IT happened. She wiped tears from her eyes. He really could be sweet when it suited him.
Now knowing who the present was from made her realize how the person had known that she would want Kelly Clarkson. They had been together through AI1, and Tala was the only one that truly knew how much Mariah liked Kelly's voice. Maybe he wasn't the insensitive prick she labled him as. Shaking her head she opened the card and read it over. Underneath the customary "Merry Christmas" in the inside were only three words.
"Truce?
Love, Tala 3"
A bright smile spread over her face and silently she raised her head and turned to look for her Santa. He was watching her, an almost anxious look on his face. It was amazing how he could look anxious, but at the same time look so cool and nonchalant. It was something that used to drive her insane.
Mariah's smile softened, her eyes holding emotions for only him to see. She mouthed the word 'Truce' and winked, her smile growing at the bright grin that broke out on his face. She realized she really couldn't stay mad at him forever. He was after all her first love, and would always hold a special place in her heart.
Kai sat back down in his seat, placing the neatly wrapped present on the table in front of it. The card in a red envelope sat on top, his name printed neatly in messy penmanship on the front. Shrugging, he pulled the card off the box and opened it. On the cover was some witty, cute joke about Christmas that made him smile a bit. Inside, underneath the punch line in the same messy penmanship a note was scrawled.
"Hiwatari, read each of the messages on the inside cover of this card as you open the present.
Merry Christmas,
Liika ^-^v"
Kai blinked. She had gotten him as well? His eyes narrowed. It better not be another one of his mother's plots. But then, how can you fix a random draw out of a hat? Bah. He complied with her wishes, opening the neatly wrapped box and taking out the first item –a cute, black rubber…phoenix? That squeaked when you squeezed it. His interest peaked at what she had to say about the… juvenile gift.
"Yeah, yeah, now before you howl in out rage or sneer at me, let me tell you why I chose her. Her name, for the record, is Black Dranzer, and I got her because on first sight she practically screamed your name. Besides, after being in your bathroom and seeing your 'motif' if you will, I decided it needed some character, and Black Dranzer will fit in nicely. She can sit on your counter beside your black accessories."
A smile tugged at Kai's lips as he set the card down and pulled the next item out of the box. A smaller wrapped box was next, and when he opened it he revealed a small silver hoop with a tiny red ruby feather attached. He fingered it, it was pretty and surprisingly something he'd wear.
"I noticed that you and your little gang got your ears pierced last weekend –don't ask how I noticed. The glare off your earring blinded me in PE =P"
He chuckled at that. So, she watched him during PE eh? Shaking his head slightly, he pulled out what seemed to be the last item in the box. He was surprised when he found a small ziplock bag containing a small ball bearing and a spin gear. Beyblade parts…? He snatched up the card for an explaination.
"Blah. Did you know you are incredibly hard to shop for? Bastard. *glare* ~-^ Seriously though. I was watching tapes of your last few matches )all good captains scope their competition as you know) and I noticed a slight hitch in your balance and spin gear. It's not noticeable normally, only when you send Dranzer into defense mode. It bothers his left wing a bit. Have Kenny rotate the defense ring 3/10s of an inch, add this ball bearing to the left side and exchange your spin gear for this one. It will help immensely. Just trust me, I'm not trying to screw you over anything, but if you prefer watch the tapes yourself. Now you may ask why I'm helping you. The answer is simple. I want to kick your ass when you're in top shape. =)
See you at States!"
Once again Kai felt his heart speed up. The presents weren't expensive and they weren't flashy but they came from the heart. It was obvious she had put a lot of thought into the gifts. It made a warmth spread across his chest. He scowled, damn her. He actually liked her presents.
Liika stared at the small rectangular box in red wrapping paper, then at the small card taped to the top. She was curious who got her the present, but she wanted to wait until everyone was busy unwrapping theirs to notice her.
"Yo Iki, aren't you going to open yours?" Enrique' asked, already eating the goofy hat he got and eating the accompanying chocolate.
"Uh, yeah." Liika replied, picking up the card. She pulled it out of the envelope slowly, admiring the sparkly cover –she liked sparkles. Opening it, hey eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Tell no one and like it. You're more trouble than you're worth.
Merry Christmas Witch,
Lov Ka Hiwatari."
Liika was stunned. Kai had gotten her? Now she knew God had it in for her. She stared at the rectangular box again, just imagining what sort of horror was contained with in. Probably something like a dead snake, or worse yet, a spider. She shuddered. She hated spiders.
Well, better to get it over with right? She thought picking up the present.
It was somewhat awkwardly wrapped, as if he had never wrapped a present before. Probably hasn't, she thought dryly. Which made her wonder why he had wrapped this one himself. It's probably something so hideous he couldn't let anyone see. Probably why he said not to tell anyone. She glared at the box for a moment before slowly unwrapping it.
Unwrapped it was just a simple red velvet covered box, the kind jewelry came in. This made Liika even more suspicious. Jewelry? Kai? No way.
Her curiosity overpowered her suspicions however, and so, being unable to stand the suspense any longer, she flipped open the box. What she saw took her breath away. She gasped, her eyes widening and her hand flying to her mouth.
It was incredible.
A white gold or platinum necklace lay in a bed of soft velvet. It wasn't the chain, however, that stole her breath away, it was the pendant. It was beautiful, elegant and obviously expensive. The main bast of the pendant was a star shaped line of interchanging tiny diamonds and sapphires, small but sparkly. In the center of the hollow star dangled a small garnet heart. Sprouting out of the back of the top of the star were tiny etched angel wings of white gold. The piece was…amazing.
A blush crossed her face. What the hell was he thinking…??
She must have been staring for a while because Enrique called out to her and went to reach for the necklace case. "Soo, what you get Iki??" He asked excitedly.
Liika shot back to reality and snapped the case shut, hiding the necklace from view. "No-nothing much." She replied, smiling innocently.
Enrique stared at her queerly, one of his blond eyebrows raising. "Nothing much? That looks like a pretty expensive case, what's inside?? And who got it for you??" he pressed, leaning across the table to reach for the case.
She snatched it back, clutching it against her chest protectively. She couldn't help smiling a bit. "It's nothing Eny, just an anklet, and I'm not telling from who." She hated lying to him, but this was something no one could know about. No one but her and Kai. She would of course have to tell him it was too expensive and to take it back, but she could revel in owning something so beautiful even for a short while. It mad her feel encredibly cheap for what she bought him. Stupid Hiwatari, making her feel cheap. She was thankful that Robert had gotten asked to do something by Ms. G and so was not seated beside her. On her other side Mariah was too busy thinking to notice. Quickly to change the subject she turned in her seat, ignoring Enriq'es protests, and addressed the pale haired boy behind her.
"So Ryanny, like the switchblade?"